Alleged Carjacker Rapist Under Federal Custody |
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U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Puerto Rico
9 February 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN JUAN, P.R. – On February 8, 2017, United States Magistrate Judge Bruce McGiverin authorized a criminal complaint charging Waldemar Martínez-Ortiz with carjacking with serious bodily injury, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The FBI is in charge of the investigation.
According to the information contained in the affidavit submitted in support of the criminal complaint, on February 6, 2017, Martínez-Ortiz was detained by the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) pursuant to an ongoing investigation concerning several cases reported to the PRPD of a masked man forcing entry into the homes of females, sexually assaulting them, and then taking their cars.
The investigation revealed that on January 31, 2017, at approximately 10:30 PM, Martínez-Ortiz, wearing a mask and carrying a silver gun, ran up to a female who was outside her home sitting on her porch. The defendant ordered her to go inside the apartment, where the victim’s sister was. The defendant demanded that both victims give him all their money and they complied. After the defendant went through the apartment in search of more valuables, he sexually assaulted both women. After sexually assaulting the sisters, Martinez-Ortiz took a car that belonged to one of them.
The investigation also revealed that on February 6, 2017, Martínez-Ortiz, wearing a mask, committed another home invasion in Bayamón. The defendant approached a female that was outside her home, brandished a firearm and directed her to get inside her home. Once inside the home, the victim’s brother and boyfriend were able to restrain him until officers from the PRPD arrived at the scene.
“The victims of this crime should rest assured that we will zealously protect their rights and seek justice during our prosecution of this offense,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I commend the PRPD agents, detectives and P.R. Department of Justice prosecutors for their persistence and efforts in solving these crimes.”
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Daynelle M. Álvarez. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in prison. A criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.